Raikot (Ludhiana), July 26
A sense of pride overpowers the grief of these women who lost their loved ones in the Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan a dozen years ago. As the nation remembers the Kargil heroes who died in the line of duty on Tuesday, these women have learnt to live with their memories. Holding their heads high in the knowledge that their men made the supreme sacrifice for the country, they are still prepared to send their other male relatives to the defence services.

‘‘My son was only three years old when my husband, Lance Naik Nirmal Singh of the 8 Sikh regiment, sacrificed his life atop Tiger Hill on July 6, 1999. I had been married to him for only five years then. I’m ready to send my son to the armed forces. I’ve missed my husband over the years at every step of my life, but if my country needs my son he’s willing,’’ says Jaswinder Kaur (40), a resident of Johlan, a sleepy hamlet near Raikot that has immortalized Nirmal’s sacrifice by erecting his statue at the village school.

Recalling the unfortunate moment when she came to live in the war hero's native village a month before he died in the war, Jaswinder said all that was left with her was his army uniform. ‘‘It was his honour and is now my constant companion. I wash it and iron it regularly and hold it whenever I look for some direction. A true soldier's uniform is like a lighthouse for me. I’ve treaded on the path of bringing up my son to be a true soldier's son,” she adds while holding her husband’s olive green uniform.

“I lived with my husband for only a year when his unit was at Pathankot. A month before he died, he was posted in the Kargil sector. They were celebrating victory atop Tiger Hill when he was shot in the chest. I’ve lived all these years without him and our son, who is now 16, has been brought up amidst stories of gallantry. This has been my mission after my husband's death,” said Jaswinder.

Similar was the tale of Amarjit Kaur, a 50-year-old resident of Waraich village, near Raikot, whose eldest son, Sepoy Balwant Singh of the 5 Sikh Light Infantry, laid down his life on September 15, 1999 in the RS Pura sector of Jammu & Kashmir. ‘‘After this supreme sacrifice I worship him for he taught me a lesson of love for the country by laying down his life. He had promised me he would return but he kept his promise with the motherland,’’ she said while lighting incense in front of his photos in a “special” room at her home.

“I do it every morning and evening. He lives with me 24X7”, she said fighting back her tears as she recalled how her 23-year-old son died while fighting Pakistani troops and living her dream of seeing him married unfulfilled. ‘‘It was very painful to get his body back. He was engaged and was to be married. But I’m proud he was born from my womb”, added
Amarjit.

Uniforms a treasured possession

Though it is a common practice for Punjab folks to discard the clothes of a loved one after his or her death, the families of the Kargil war heroes have treasured the Army uniforms of these soldiers. ‘‘I wash and iron it regularly and then fold it neatly and keep it in his iron box that was sent to us by the Army along with his body. He has left us forever, but his belongings will remain our prized possession, ’’ said Amarjit Kaur, mother of Sepoy Balwant Singh of 5 Sikh Light Infantry and a resident of Waraich village.

Ludhiana, July 26
Though the Kargil war heroes were compensated well by the Union Government, their families are bitter that they have not been given their due by the state government.

“I have no misgiving against the Union Government, but the state government did not do anything for me. I will not cast my vote,” said Gurvinder Kaur, a resident of Iraq village in Samrala, whose husband Havaldar Darshan Singh of 8 Sikh Light Infantry, died during the Kargil conflict.

“We were allotted a petrol station by the Union government. But the state government did nothing for us,” said the 45-year-old woman.

Stating that the kin of war heroes were not treated well in any government office, Gurvinder Kaur said: “No one cares about us or listens to us in case a work has to be done.’’

The state government had promised her that the village primary school would be upgraded in his memory. “I wanted children of his village to get a good education. We have in vain been making rounds of several offices for this work,” she said.

Amarjit Kaur, mother of Sepoy Balwant Singh, said: “My husband passed away five years ago. I was entitled to pension after his death. I had to make several rounds of the Sainik Welfare Office before my work was done. Who cares for any sacrifice here?” she asked.

Cdr. Tarlochan Singh, in charge of War Museum, Ludhiana, however, said the families of Kargil heroes were treated very well by the government and should have no complaints.

Payal (Ludhiana), July 26
Harjit Kaur, a resident of Ghudani village near here, is proud of her son, Sukhchain Deep, who was killed in action in the Battalic sector during the Kargil war. His martyrdom, besides bring fame to his family, has also “elevated” the village’s status.

“I’m proud that now our village is known as ‘Kargil Shaheed Wali Ghudani’”, said Harjit and Surjit Singh, Sukhchain’s proud parents.

Reminiscing her son’s childhood, Harjit said Sukhchain used to participate in plays and skits that were themed on lives of soldiers.

“It was due to his keen interest to serve his country on the border that he had politely rejected our decision to get him married at an early age. Though like any other mother I was also impatient to see him married, I don’t have any regrets that he sacrificed his life before he could marry. Fate saved one more girl from being widowed,” said Harjit.

However, the family was sad the enthusiasm with which the government had been remembering martyrs had faded away with the passage of time. One of his sisters works as an assistant in a government office and her family was accorded special facilities including allotment of an LPG connection.

Ludhiana, July 26
The trend of undergoing plastic surgery to improve one’s personal appearance is fast catching on among city residents. Increasing number of both men and women with sunken eyes, wrinkled skin and other physical “imperfections” caused by aging or other factors are going in for cosmetic procedures to get a facelift.

According to plastic surgeons the numbers of those opting for such procedures has suddenly jumped in recent years with some saying earlier there used to be less than a dozen such clients in a year.

Said Dr Sanjeev Uppal, head of the plastic surgery department at Dayanand Medical College & Hospital: “Earlier we used to get patients for plastic surgery only if someone had met with an accident and similar cases. But now the city has been witnessing a changing trend and people have begun coming for anti-aging and beautification procedures through cosmetic surgery”.

“People who desire to look young and beautiful again are seeking the help of plastic surgeons to give shape to sagging eyebrows, drooping upper lids, eyebags in lower eyelids, sunken cheeks and disfigured noses and, in the case of women, for “uplifting” their pendulous breasts. The problem of baldness in men is also addressed through this technique. Every year we receive over 50 clients for such surgical procedures”, Uppal added.

Dr AG Thomas, professor of plastic surgery and director of Christian Medical College & Hospital, said: "The technique through which a person can be beautified depends upon his or her skin texture, colour and ethnic group. People in the city come to us for improving the shape of eyelids, body contouring, liposuction and surgery for reducing breast size. Fillers are used for depression on face”.

The hospital’s deputy director, Dr Vijay Obed, who is head of its plastic surgery department, said: "More than a hundred people come here for getting a facelift through surgical procedures."

Uppal, who prefers to treat patients through fat injections, stated: "These days most clients prefer fat injections to fillers, although in the injections only 50-60% fats remains permanently while remaining gets dissolved. However in fillers like those of collagen the procedure has to be again performed after 6-8 months. People usually come to us for improving their appearance of their nose through rhinoplasty or get fat injections for beautifying their facial outlook. I’ve observed there has been a huge increase in the number of patients who demand plastic surgery for cosmetic beauty."

Ludhiana, July 26
A miniature pony of a European breed from Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s stud farm died at the hospital of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) today. The pony was undergoing treatment at this hospital for the past three days.

Dr H S Sandhu, Dean of the veterinary college, informed that there was some problem with the windpipe of the pony. “He was recovering well but suddenly collapsed. We have conducted his post-mortem,” he said.

Since June 26, this is the third animal which had come from the CMs stud farm for treatment at GADVASU.

Earlier, a seven-year-old horse of Irish Tinker breed had undergone treatment at
the hospital.

A
portion of a park near Sunet village encroached upon by a liquor vend contractor.

Ludhiana, July 26
Despite repeated claims made by the top brass of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) that it would not let any person encroach upon government land, two liquor vends situated near Sunet and Chawni Mohalla continue to run their businesses even now.

This is despite the fact that the issue has been brought to the notice of the Mayor Hakam Singh Giaspura as well as the MC Commissioner AK Sinha, who have “assured” that the illegal vends would be either demolished or shifted to another place. But no action has followed yet.

The liquor vend near Sunet village, which was situated in a park, was demolished by the MC last month. The owners are now running it from tents that have been put up there.

Liquor vend near school

These two liquor vends are not the only ones running illegally. Another liquor vend is situated outside Green Land Senior Secondary Public School near the Jalandhar bypass here. Students had objected to it many times, but nothing came of it. The authorities concerned failed to take any action against the liquor vend owners.

Assistant Town Planner (ATP) Kamaljit Kaur said the building branch had demolished the illegal structures. “Now it’s the work of the tehbazaari wing. I have already written to them to clear the tents and get an FIR registered against the culprits behind it,” she claimed.

Hartej Singh, superintendent of the tehbazaari wing of zone D, said he did not have the details and would check it.

About the vend situated
on a footpath near Chawni Mohalla, Giaspura had himself claimed on July 15 that he had spoken to the owners of the vend and had told them to shift it. He had even claimed that if the owners failed to do so, the MC would take action against them.

But even after 10 days, the vend is functioning smoothly. The vend is situated near a temple. As per rules, no liquor vend or shop selling tobacco products can operate 50 metres from either an educational institution or a religious place. But rules have been flouted with impunity here. Kamaljit Kaur said the owners of the liquor vend were served with a demolition notice on July 18. “I am posted in zone D and the liquor vend falls in zone A,” she said.

ATP Harpreet Ghai of zone A said the vend owners had assured him that they would move the liquor vend to a new place.

Ludhiana, July 26
Unaffected by the alarming trends presented by environmentalists, residents in the industrial hub of the state continue to enjoy luxurious lives and the city emits the maximum amount of freyon gas, infamous for adding to the depletion of the earth’s ozone shield. The gas is used in air conditioners (ACs) and refrigerators.

AC dealers in Punjab reveal more than 45,000 ACs (both split and window) have been purchased in Ludhiana district alone from January 1, 2011, to June 31, 2011. Ludhiana contributes to 20 per cent the total ACs sold in Punjab.

Dr Prabhjot Kaur, agro-meteorologist at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), who has done a research on climate change, observed that due to the emission of greenhouse gases (methane and carbon dioxide) and other gases, including freyon, the night temperature in the city had increased by one degree Celsius. The overall humidity has also increased. These abrupt changes have resulted in extreme weather conditions in the region, she added.

Global warming has also resulted in erratic monsoon. Director research, PAU, Dr SS Gosal said the change in weather conditions was due to pollution generated by vehicles, industries, generators and air-conditioners. "Besides, solar radiation has decreased, adversely affecting the crop production,” said Dr Gosal, adding that environmental degradation had to be put to an end.

Ludhiana, July 26
Vehicles are one of the major contributors of air pollution, and incidentally, Ludhiana has over 11.78 lakh of them, as per the data procured from the police department till July last year.

Even as the city has the highest per capita vehicle density in the region, 214 vehicles are registered here daily, taking the total number of vehicles in the industrial hub to around 12.2 lakh.

Ironically, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) authorities claim that they have not conducted any survey to find out the extent of pollution by vehicles in the city. “However, the survey is on the cards and we are starting from the Golden Temple in Amritsar,” claimed Kahan Singh Pannu, chairman of the PPCB.

The PPCB has four ambient air quality monitoring stations in the city - in PPCB’s zonal office near the bus stand, Verka Milk Plant on the Ferozepur Road, Vishwakarma Chowk and at Nahar Spinning Mills in Industrial Area.

As per the data provided by the PPCB, the pollution level in the city has gone down compared to past two years, it is still more than double the permissible limit. The Respiratory Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) is more than double of the permissible limit of 100 micrograms/metric cube in the city.

Experts say the best way to check pollution is to switch to LPG/CNG vehicles instead diesel. However, this too seems far from reality as due to the long and cumbersome process of getting no objection certificates, not many people are coming forward for running LPG filling stations. Presently, there is only one LPG filling station for roughly around 1,500 auto-rickshaws and LPG-run cars in the city.

Even the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the state government to switch over the diesel-run public transport vehicles from diesel to LPG or CNG. Despite all this, buses, trucks, auto-rickshaws, taxis and other vehicles public transport vehicle continue to run on diesel, thereby adding to pollution.

Ludhiana, July 26
High pollution level seems to be a choking factor for many and is a big reason for the increasing number of lung cancer cases in the city, said Dr Devinder Singh Sandhu, a city-based haematologist and oncologist.

Talking to The Tribune, Dr Davinder Singh, who is also the executive chairman of the Cancer Council of India, said: “Due to the chemicals being emitted by vehicles run on diesel and petrol 20-25 percent people in the city suffer from lung cancer. In past five years, the number of such patients is growing."

“In 2005, there were 3.1 per cent patients in the city who suffered from lung cancer due to pollution. The figure rose to 3.8 per cent in 2010. This shows that more people are getting affected by environmental pollution,” said Dr Sandhu.

The pollution causes two types of lung diseases - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung fibrosis, also known as scar fibrosis. In this, scars left due to the infection reduces the size of the lungs and the person becomes prone to cancer. This is known as carcinoma, he added.

Smoke of tobacco products is equally responsible for lung cancer. The only preventive measure to control lung cancer is to tie a neat and clean cloth on the mouth and the nose while driving. Moreover, the government should also ban diesel-operated autos. This will decrease the pollution level and thus the cases of lung cancer will also reduce, he added.

Ludhiana, July 26
Jasveen Kaur, a student from Guru Nanak International Public School, Model Town, here, has levelled allegations that besides her name in the third counselling list sent by Panjab University, Chandigarh, for B.Com part I, the authorities at the Government College for Women "denied" her admission.

While college authorities maintain, since the student belonged to the reserved category (teachers' ward), and the attached certificate had some discrepancies, the seat would be filled only after getting a nod by Panjab University.

Jagpreet Kaur, mother of Jasveen Kaur, said that her ward's name came in the third list sent by PU and Jasveen was asked to report at GCW. "We just had two working days to complete all the formalities. The teachers' certificate was attached with the admission form, which was submitted at GCW but the authorities did not entertain it, saying that the attestation by the District Education Officer (DEO) was a must. We got it attested by the DEO today but now they have refused to give admission to my daughter. They are unnecessarily harassing us", alleged Jagpreet Kaur.

While the head of the commerce department at GCW, Gurpreet Kaur, said that it was clearly mentioned in the prospectus that the teachers' certificate should bear the name of the ward, it must show that the teacher was regular (ward's mother or father) and it should have been duly signed by the DEO.

"But in this particular case, every condition was missing. We have informed PU about this particular case. The seat has been kept vacant. Whatever the university will decide, we will adhere to it. We have to go by the rules. If the university clears the certificate, we will have no problem to admit the student in our college", said Gurpreet
Kaur.

‘PU nod needed’

The Government College for Women says the attached certificate has discrepancies and the seat will be filled only after getting a nod from Panjab
University.

Ludhiana, July 26
Engineers working with the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and the Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL), the erstwhile Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), today observed a two-hour pen-down and tool-down strike to lodge their protest against the “delaying tactics” of the Punjab government towards the proposed 1,320 MW thermal power plant under the state sector.

Led by activists of the PSEB Engineers’ Association (PSEBEA), the protesting power engineers said even though the PSPCL was competent to take decisions on its investment plans, letters were being exchanged indicating non-responsive attitude of the decision makers. In stark contrast, decisions to facilitate private developers setting up plants in the state are processed on supersonic speed both in the power secretariat as well in the PSPCL.

Releasing a white paper on the power generation policy of the state, the PSEBEA maintained that till 1995, Punjab was comfortable on the power front with availability being more than the demand. There was a slight deficit from 1995 to 2000. But thereafter, the electricity availability in Punjab far lagged behind the demand.

"After commissioning of 600 MW Ranjit Sagar Dam in 2000 and 420 MW Lehra-Mohabbat thermal plant in 1998, it took the state eight years to add another 500 MW capacity with the commissioning of GHTP stage II in 2008. With no generation likely to be added in another at least one-and-a-half year, the demand and supply gap is bound to increase," the paper said.

Due to the policy lapse of the successive state governments to plan for capacity addition in a planned and systematic manner, the PSEB had to meet its growing energy requirement by resorting to extra short-term power purchase at exorbitant rates leading to financial crunch, which was then taken as the ground for not adding capacity to meet future energy requirements.

Flaying the policy of over-dependence on short-term measures, the PSEBEA stated that the power purchase increased from 31.05 per cent of the total availability in 2005-06 to 37.85 per cent in 2006-07 and further to 41.48 per cent in 2007-08. Similarly, the power purchase bill also increased from Rs 2,405 crore in 2005-06 to Rs 6,020 crore in 2007-08.

The paper further narrated how repeated advice of power engineers and the management of PSEB/PSPCL was ignored by the state government to set up at least one out of three proposed plants - 1,920 MW at Talwandi Saboo, 1,400 MW at Rajpura and 2,640 MW at Gidderbaha - under state sector. In case of Gidderbaha plant, even the group of three senior cabinet ministers, specifically constituted by the Punjab government, was ignored and plant awarded to the
NTPC.

Purchase up

Power purchase increased from 31.05 per cent of the total availability in 2005-06 to 37.85 per cent in 2006-07 and further to 41.48 per cent in 2007-08. Similarly, the power purchase bill also increased from
Rs 2,405 crore in 2005-06 to Rs 6,020 crore in 2007-08.

Ludhiana, July 26
Lameness is a herd problem of dairy animals with serious implications on production and reproduction of animals. About 90-99 per cent cases of lameness in dairy animals occur due to foot lesions. These may cause about 10 per cent decrease in milk yield, about 40 days increase in calving to conception period and inter-calving period may be extended by over two months. On the other hand, foot lesions cause severe pain and discomfort to the animals so lameness has been considered as an issue of animal welfare.

Nutrition, calving and management have been observed as major predisposing factors during recent studies but the exact pathogenesis of lameness is still in developmental stage.

Keeping in view the incomplete understanding of complex patho-physiology of laminitis, veterinary scientists initiated work to tackle this problem. A research project under major research scheme of the University Grant Commission (UGC) has been awarded to Dr RS Sethi, associate professor, School of Animal Biotechnology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, as principal investigator and Dr Swarn Singh Randhawa, Dr Opinder Singh and Dr Simrat Sagar Singh as co-investigators.

Dr SNS Randhawa, director of research, GADVASU, informed that a research grant of Rs 10.41 lakh for the research project entitled “Characterisation and ultra-structural details of endotoxin induced laminitis in buffalo calf model” has been sanctioned by the UGC. Dr Sethi, principal investigator, elaborated that the approved project will focus on gross, histo-pathological and ultra structural changes in hooves after endotoxin infusion in buffalo to explore the patho-physiology of laminitis.

Dr Randhawa congratulated Dr Sethi and his team for bringing laurels to the university. Dr Randhawa informed that the study was highly relevant, considering the importance of dairy animals in rural economy and
the economic losses caused by morbidity due to lameness.

He further informed that in Punjab with major emphasis on adopting commercial dairy farming system, lameness in high yielding exotic and crossbred cows and buffaloes was one of the leading causes resulting in substantial economic losses to the progressive dairy farmers in the form of decline in milk yield, infertility and weight loss.

Dr SP Singh welcomed guests. He spoke on the growing graph of hotel industry and its associated career opportunities. Teams from 10 leading schools of Ludhiana participated in the event. The participants were provided with a kitchen, along with the same set of Indian and imported ingredients, to prepare dishes of their own choice.

The first prize was won by Guru Nanak International Public School, while GGN Public School finished as runner-up. KVM School got the “Best Innovation” award, while Sargodha Public School was given the “Best Teamwork Award”. Kuldip Singh, director, GGNIMT, proposed the vote of thanks. Coordinator Gunwant Singh Dua congratulated winners.

Ludhiana, July 26
Using contaminated water and unscreened blood are the main causes of Hepatitis A and E. This was said by Dr Ajit Sood, professor and head of gastroentrology department, of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, while addressing a press conference here in his OPD.

Talking about the reasons of other types of virus he said, "Hepatitis B, C and delta (D) are caused through parental route. Many years ago people used to reuse syringes as well as needles. At many places even today needles are changed but same syringes are reused due to the unawareness of patients. Similarly, injection overuse and intravenous drug abuse are some other reasons for spreading of this virus. However, the surgical equipments specially of dentists, and dentistry are also sometimes used without proper disinfecting."

Many people come for blood donation but avoid paying for the tests to be done for screening the blood from various diseases. he said, "If a mother is a Hepatitis B virus carrier, there remains risk of infection being transmitted to the baby. So we do active and passive immunisation of the baby after the birth. "

Warning against ear piercing, Dr Sood said, "Sometimes goldsmiths use same needle for piercing the ears, it may also lead to spreading of
infection. Same blade used by barbar and needle used for tattooing should not be reused. "

Disease treatable

In case of acute hepatitis, 90 per cent of the disease gets self-treated in its incubation period. However, in case of chronic hepatitis, one should consult and get treatment from an expert only. People should avoid going to soothsayers.

Ludhiana, July 26
In the wake of threat of outbreak of dengue and other rainy season diseases, the district administration on Monday asked the Municipal Corporation as well as officials of other civic bodies in the district to take effective preventive measures.

Presiding over a meeting of officials of the health department, the MC and other civic bodies at Bachat Bhawan here today, the deputy commissioner, Rahul Tiwari, directed them to improve sanitation level in their respective areas, arrange for immediate removal of garbage, and dusting of methyl powder at garbage-dumping sites every third day. The health and civic staff was further asked to spray kerosene oil over stagnant water while also maintaining proper record of all the preventive action taken against outbreak of diseases.

Tiwari issued instruction to the officials to ensure that garbage and waste was not dumped in localities and commercial hubs. He also directed that the potholes be filled, water should not be allowed to accumulate in vacant plots and water tanks so as to break the breeding cycle of mosquitoes.

The officials of MC and health department were specifically told to keep an eye of those areas, which were vulnerable to water logging during rains as well as those localities, which had a previous history of outbreak of diseases. "Such sensitive areas need special attention as far as preventive steps are concerned, he added."

Emphasising the need to educate the people and make them aware of prevention methods, the deputy commissioner said the departments concerned would run a continuous awareness drive. “The awareness drive against malaria, dengue, encephalitis, gastroenteritis, cholera, jaundice and typhoid should continue relentlessly till the rainy season is over."

The civil surgeon, Dr HS Bali, told that the massmedia wing of the health department had already launched a concerted awareness campaign.

Ludhiana: Kargil Diwas was observed at SDP School. The day commemorated India's success in the battle at Kargil. It was dedicated to the Indian Army. The students were made aware about the contributions of defence forces for the security of the nation. As many as 30 students participated in slogan-writing competition held during the event.

Declamation contest

An inter-house English declamation competition was organised in the campus of G.M.T. Public School. Students from class IX to class XII participated in the contest comprising topics on current issues like cable TV, westernisation, old-age homes, co-education etc. The topic, “India of my dreams” was well debated upon where young students shared their dream of a prosperous India. Manpreet won the first prize, second went to Ravneek and third prize was bagged by Lakshita.

Tiny tots on stage

Children of LKG danced on songs like, Nani Teri Morni Ko Mor le Gaye, Old Mcdonald and All is well. Principal Navita Puri gave simple parenting tips to parents so that they could bring them up well.

Fruit week celebrated

The Fruit Week was celebrated at Ryan International, Dugri, to familiarse children with several fruits. They were told about the benefits of taking fruits. The Montessori children participated in activities like collage making, fruit-salad making, colouring, fruit-race and rhymes-recitation. They also wore fruit-dresses during the week.

Ludhiana, July 26
Punjab Agricultural University's role for ushering in an era of green revolution and transforming the food deficit country into food sufficient one has been well recognised. This was stated by PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, while addressing a felicitation function, organised by the PAU Employees Union here today.

Dhillon said that to sustain the outstanding name of the university, everybody must contribute by working with dedication and discipline. He gave a call to the participants that everyone should work towards making PAU indispensable.

Harbans Singh Mundi and Avinash Kumar Sharma, the president and general secretary of the union while welcoming Dhillon highlighted the concerns of the welfare of the employees and put forth certain demands. Dhillon agreed to the genuine demands and said that the PAU fraternity was like a family and everyone there was welcome to give ideas to bring about improvement in work culture and to apprise him of how the things could be made better. Dhillon interacted with the members of the executive council of the body. He lauded the contribution of the non-teaching employees in research, teaching and technology transfer programmes and said that it was the team spirit that was required to attain success.

Mandi Gobindgarh, July 26
Students of C.S. International School brought laurels to the institution by winning medals in ‘India open International Table Soccer championship 2011’, held at Golden Bell Public School, Mohali, from July 22 to 24.

Five students of the school Amandeep Singh and Jaskirat won gold medals, Jagmamraj and Tejpal won silver medal and Ailya won bronze medal.

Principal Gagandeep Katoch appreciated the tireless efforts of the prize winners during the morning assembly.

Mandi Gobindgarh, July 26
With the arrest of seven members of a gang of hardcore criminals operating in the state of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pardesh (UP) and Rajasthan, the police has recovered stolen property worth Rs 4.25 crore, DGP PS Gill disclosed this at a press conference here today.

Acting on a secret information, SHO Bikramjit Singh Barar of Mandi Gobindgarh arrested the members of the gang and recovered 13 stolen trucks, which includes 56 tyres, truck-trailers along with luxury cars, 3 Tata Safari, 2 Verna cars, 1 Ascent Viva car, 1 Innova car, 1 Indica Vista, 1 i10 car, 1 Maruti car and a tempo. A case has been registered. Two pistols along with live cartridges were recovered from Mohammad Shafi and Farid Ahmed for which a case under the Arms Act has been registered.

Ludhiana, July 26
Five LPG cylinders and Rs 33,000 cash were stolen from two houses under Merado Chowki, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Dhandran road, here last night. The police is investigating into the matter and no case has been registered so far.

According to information, two unidentified persons entered the house of Gobind Ram, a resident of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, by scaling the wall. They took away two LPG cylinders, two mobile phones and cash worth Rs 25,000 from the house while all the family members were asleep. Fourteen-year-old Suman reportedly woke up hearing the noise but two unidentified persons threatened her of dire consequences if she did not keep quiet.

After committing the theft, the thieves went to the house of Kishan Dev, another resident of the area and took away three cylinders, one bicycle from the courtyard, Rs 8,000 cash and two mobile phones from the room while the family was asleep. Meanwhile, SHO Sadar Harinder Singh said that he had got the information and was looking into the matter.

Khanna July 26
Two family members, including husband and wife, were killed in a road accident on the Delhi-Amritsar road near Khanna. According to information, Darshan Singh (67), a retired teacher, was going with his wife Gurmel Kaur, on a motorcycle.

When they reached near Gagar Majra village they stopped at a petrol pump. But as soon as they started from there, a speeding Tata Sumo coming from Delhi side hit them. The impact of the collision was so great that they suffered serious injuries and were sent to Civil Hospita,l Khanna, where both were declared brought dead by the doctors.

Their family is presently residing at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Colony, Khanna. The police has registered a case in this regard and is looking into the matter. The bodies were handed over to kin after the post-mortem examination.

A press note issued by Dr HS Bali, Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, said: “Pronouncing the judgment, CJM Balwinder Kumar held that the prosecution had proved the charges against the accused. The judge also ordered the accused to pay Rs 5,000 as fine.”

A sample of curd was taken from the sweet shop in 2001 by the District Food Inspector.

In the girl's U-14 section, BCM School outplayed Green Land Senior Secondary School, Sector 32, Chandigarh Road branch, 2-0 to clinch the title and in the match for third place, BVM Senior Secondary School, Kitchlu Nagar, beat Green Land School 2-0.